Seasons on the Moraine - Seeing the Forest for the Trees

From the crown of a towering pine to a patch of tightly packed maple seedlings, trees are the most visible part of the natural landscape on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Enjoy the quintessential summer ‘walk in the woods’ but turn your attention to the natural and human stories contained in these forest giants. On this walk, we’ll move through different forest types that show how the forest is constantly changing and responding to the environment. We’ll learn about the habits of each tree species, whether it’s oak, pine, or birch and how each plays a part in the centuries long drama of forest dynamics. But it’s not just the ecosystem that changes with the trees, learn to see how our human past, present and future is written on Ontario’s forest.

Your Guide: Thom Unrau – is currently the Stewardship coordinator with the Kawartha Land Trust. Thom studied at Concordia University and Fleming College. He has worked with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and as a stay-at-home dad. Thom is most curious about the human side of natural history and remembers vividly the day he first ‘opened his eyes’ to nature. He loves giving others the chance to see the wonder that’s all around them in the natural world and strives to protect this threatened world through conservation. His eldest daughter, Cedar, may be able to tell you that he loves trees.